United Progress in the Champions League

By David Hobbs & Chris O'Brien
November 23 2004

Sir Alex Ferguson’s 1000th game in charge of United proved to have no Millennium bug attached and resulted another great achievement in the history of Manchester United as the Red Devils qualified for the knockout stages. Goals from Gary Neville and Van Nistelrooy secured a 2-1 victory over Lyon.

United Progress in the Champions League

Manchester United 2
Gary Neville 19
Van Nistelrooy 53

Olympique Lyonnais 1
Diarra 40

Sir Alex Ferguson’s 1000th game in charge of United proved to have no Millennium bug attached and resulted another monumental achievement in the history of Manchester United as the Red Devils qualified for the knock-out stages of the European Cup.

Goals from two of the biggest achievers of the Ferguson reign, Gary Neville and Ruud Van Nistelrooy secured a nervy 2-1 victory over Lyon and put the possibility of winning the group into their own hands, although a tough visit to Fenerbache awaits in the final game of six. The Turks have finished 3rd in the group after an impressive win in Prague, and will go onto play in the Uefa Cup.

Ryan Giggs was left out with a minor injury, so Ronaldo and Alan Smith took to the flanks in an attacking midfield. Paul Scholes and Roy Keane were in the centre whilst Rooney and Ruud formed their deadly strike duo. Ulsterman Roy Carroll defended a backline of Neville, Heinze, Silvestre and Ferdinand.

After a spell where both clubs were unable to take advantage of a couple of half-chances, England international teenager Wayne Rooney came the closest to scoring but was denied by the woodwork. Rooney, who has made a big impression in his first season playing in the Champions League, drilled a shot from 25 yards but unluckily slammed the post just after 10 minutes on the clock.

Creative movement that started from down the right channel released wide-man for the night Alan Smith to hook in a cross that was half-cleared by a sloppy Lyon defence. Out of all people, Gary Neville claimed a rare goal, pouncing in front of the gauchely cleared ball to hammer home a no-nonsense finish.

However, 6 minutes before the interval, the French side hit back with an equalizer due to a catastrophic fumble United goalkeeper Roy Carroll. The Ulsterman was expected to easily gather Diarra's shot, but memories of Massimo Taibi and a few mistakes by Tim Howard came rushing back to the memories of United fans as Carroll pushed the shot into his own net.

Moments after the half time break, Rio Ferdinand surged forward in order to help The Red Devils double their advantage and take another lead. Ferdinand's skill and trickery bamboozled Lyon, allowing the defender to send a well placed cross for Ruud van Nistelrooy to nod home and convert. The Dutchman had barely touched the ball prior to the goal.

Van Nistelrooy came close to adding his second and The Red Devils' 3rd goal of the night. Wayne Rooney's fine cross was controlled and volleyed, but floated agonizingly wide of the goal to deny Van Nistelrooy of a fine goal. And all this while the Scousers’ chances of qualifying took a blow in the south of France – fantastic!

Scotsman Ferguson was in a buoyant mood after the game, praising a fine United performance: It was an excellent performance. The confidence and rhythm is coming back now.

"The second half was especially good. There was a lot of composure and of course Ruud scored another for us."

Ferguson exposed: "Ruud is feeling a calf strain and he was the same on Saturday. We will have to have a look at it and maybe leave him out on Saturday."

Final Score: Manchester United 2 - 1 Olympique Lyonnais
Att: 66,398

Manchester United: R Carroll, G Neville (45 W Brown) , R Ferdinand, M Silvestre, G Heinze, A Smith, R Keane, P Scholes, C Ronaldo, W Rooney, R van Nistelrooy (71 D Fletcher)

Olympique Lyonnais: N Puydebois, A Reveillere, L Diatta, C Cris, J Berthold, M Diarra, M Essien, P Juninho, S Govou (60 S Wiltord) , P Frau (72 B Bergougnoux) , H Nilmar (72 F Malouda)

Refereed By: K M Nielsen (Denmark)

Sir Alex Ferguson - 1000 not out.